Animated musical figure toy

ABSTRACT

A doll having a movable head and movable upper arms and a lower torso comprised of a music box mechanism covered by a long skirt. The torso is positioned on a wheel-supporting platform having depending wheels and depending pivot structure.

United States Patent [1 1 Breslow et al.

ANIMATED MUSICAL FIGURE TOY Inventors: Jeffrey D. Breslow, HighlandPark; Bette Marie Kaelin, Chicago, both of 111.

Marvin Glass and Associates, Chicago, 111.

Filed: July 10, 1972 Appl. No.: 270,229

Assignee:

US. Cl 46/98, 46/118, 46/211 Int. Cl A63h 5/00 Field of Search 46/211,98, 103, 104, 105,

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1/1942 Bocchino 46/211 Jan. 22,1974 820,843 5/1906 Arnold ..46/98 2,649,805 8/1953 Lohr 46/211 PrimaryExaminer-Louis G. Mancene Assistant Examiner-J. Q. Lever Attorney,Agent, or Firm-James F. Coffee et a].

[57] ABSTRACT A doll having a movable head and movable upper arms and alower torso comprised of a music box mechanism covered by a long skirt.The torso is positioned on a wheel-supporting platform having dependingwheels and depending pivot structure.

9 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PAIENTH] JAN 2 2 I974 SHEET 1 0F 2 PATENTEDJAN 2 Eli-1T4 sum 2 or 2 ANIMATED MUSICAL FIGURE TOY BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to toys andmore particularly to a doll having movable limbs, as well as a music boxmechanism in the interior thereof.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Art Prior art relating to dolls oramusement devices, having movable components and/or musical producingdevices associated with the figure toy include the followmg:

Schuettenhelm U.S. Pat. No. 2,627, 699

Reuge U.S. Pat. No. 2,807,118

Tiebe U.S. Pat. No. 2,813,371

Faulkner U.S. Pat. No. 2,840,949

Faulkner U.S. Pat. No. 3,012,366

Van Zanten U.S. Pat. No. 3,523,478

Figure toys, such as dolls which produce musical sounds, are wellreceived. In addition, dolls which have movable limb components or havethe characteristic features of simulated movement are also wellreceived. Younger children may readily identify with both the movementof thedoll or the musical sound associated with the doll. It is theobject of this invention to meet the continuing need and desire in theart for improvements in figure toy .devices by providing an improvedfigure toy in the form of a doll having movable limb and head componentsand associated music box, with the music box, the limbs and head, aswell as the doll as an entirety, being driven from a central drivesource within the doll.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is directed in brief, to theprovision of an improved doll which is capable of traversing in a randompath of travel, which also is provided with movable limbs and a movablehead and a music producing source in the interior thereof.

The best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the invention isthe provision of a main supporting frame holding a music box structureand an axle with supporting wheels as well as relatively reciprocatingpivot bars. A central drive source is also held on the frame. The framesupports a doll shell which includes pivoted arms and a pivoted head.The arms and head are connected, by linkage, to the frame and to thecentral drive source for both driving the music box components and theaxle. Thus, as the device is activated, the arms and head may be moved,the doll driven about a random path of travel as well producing musicalsounds.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of thedoll of this invention in one position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the doll of this invention in anotherposition;

FIG. 3 is a vertical section view through the doll of this invention;

FIG. 4 is a section view taken generally along the line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a section view taken generally along the line 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a section view taken generally along the line 66 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is an exploded view of a portion of the drive components of thedoll of this invention; and

FIG. 8 is an exploded view of another portion of the drive components ofthe doll of this invention.

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many differentforms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described indetail a specific embodiment therefor, with the understanding that thepresent disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of theprinciples of the invention and is not intended to limit the inventionto the embodiment illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The doll 10 of thisinvention includes a main supporting frame 12 which supports the severalcomponents of the doll including a garmet shell 14, movable arms 16 and18 and a movable head 20. The garmet shell 14 is configured in a styleof a long womans dress and includes a bottom panel 22 with dependingsupporting tabs 22a. The shell 14 further includes a skirt portion 24,which is enlarged and generally in a bell configuration to enclose theframe 12 and several components associated therewith. The garmet shell14 further tapers from the skirt 24 to a narrowed waist 26 and to aslightly enlarged torso portion 28 to which the arms 16 and 18 and head20 are pivotally secured.

Arms 16 and 18 are secured to a head 30 which expands the upper portionof torso 28. Rod 30 extends inwardly, and is rotatably mounted within,the inwardly directed arm hubs 32 and 34. Rod 30 has upwardly extendingpins 36 and 38 to form part ofa means for moving the arms. A verticalrod or link means 40 extends generally through the torso portion of thedoll and below the waist 26 into the skirt portion 24 wherein it isrotatably mounted in a frame block 42. Rod 40 has enlargement 44 in thearea of the rod 30 and radial pins 46 and 48 which extend outwardly in aposition to engage the rod pins 36 and 38. The rod 40 extends throughthe neck hub 50 and is provided with an enlarged head connecting end 52exteriorly of the neck hub for connection of the head 20 thereto formovement with the rod 40. The association of the rod pins 46 and 48 withthe rod pins 36 to 38 is such that, as the vertical rod 40 is rotatedabout a vertical axis, the arm rod 30 will be moved about a horizontalaxis.

The frame 12 is mounted within the skirt portion 24 of the garment shell14. Frame 12 is generally U- shaped in elevation and includes a bottomportion 54 and spaced upright portions 56 and 58. Upright 58 has areturn portion 60 at the'top thereof which extends toward upright 56. Inaddition, upright 56 is provided with a cross member 62 at the topthereof, which terminates in end flanges 64 and 66. Fasteners 68 extendthrough the end flanges 64 and 66 to secure the frame 12 with respect tothe garment shell 14. Upright 56 has an upper leg 70 with arms 72 and 74which hold the frame block 42 in which the vertical rod or link 40 isrotatably mounted. A main winding and drive shaft 76 extends through theframe 12. Shaft 76 has the usual square end 78 for receiving a suitablewinding key which may be inserted through the opening 80 in the skirtportion 24 of garment shell 14. Winding shaft 76 is associated with aspring motor 82 for stressing the same as the shaft is wound to providea means for driving the several components of the doll of thisinvention.

Spring motor 82 has an output shaft 92 connected with drum 94 having theusual spikes 96, which is conventional with music box sound producingmeans. In addition, a gear train 98 is associated with output shaft 92for dampening the reeds 102 which are periodically engaged by the spikes96 or drum 94 to produce a musical sound. The drum, spring motor 82, andgear train 98 and reed means 99, are all supported within a soundproducing frame 102 which is held within the main frame 12, of the dollof this invention.

Axle 108 spans the lower portion of frame 12 and supports a pair ofspaced apart wheels 110 thereon. Wheels 110 are provided with rubbertread means 112 for assistance in providing friction when driving upon asupporting surface. Wheels 110 protrude through openings 114 and 116 inbottom 22 of the housing 14. A pinion 118 is provided on axle 108 whichis in engagement with gear 120 connected to the main drive shaft 108 toprovide a means for driving the axle 108 and, therefore, rotating thewheels 110 to drive the doll figure about a supporting surface. Thepinion l 18 is associated with the axle 108 by a one way clutcharrangement 122 and a washer 124 so that as the shaft 76 is wound tostress the motor, the winding action will create a slip in the shaft108, but, as the spring motor unwinds, this will be transferred as adriving action to shaft 108 to propel the wheels. A bar like lift member130 is also provided as part of the drive mechanism of the doll of thisinvention. Lift member 130 has an elongate drive shaft slot 132 throughwhich shaft 76 passes. Member 130 further has an outwardly extending lip134 and an elongate axle slot 136 through which axle 108 passes. A wipercam 138 is connected with shaft 76 for engaging the lip 134 toperiodically cause vertical displacement in lift member 130. Lift member130 has a floor engaging end 140 which extends through 141 in the bottom22 of the housing.

Another lift member 142 is provided on the other side of the frame. Liftmember 142 has a drive shaft opening 144, an outwardly extending lip146, and an elongate axle slot 148. A wiper cam 150 is connected to theopposite end of the drive shaft 76 for engagement with lip 146 forhorizontal displacement of lift member 142 as shaft 76 is rotated.

Lift member 142 further has an elongate open notch 154 at the topthereof through which a spool 156 extends. Spool 156 is secured by screw158 in the threaded opening 160 of the bar 84. Bar 84 further has ahorizontally widened slot 164 through which drive shaft 76 passes topermit horizontal movement of bar 84 relative to the shaft 76. Bar 84terminates in a downwardly opening forked end 166 which embraces groove168 of eccentric wheel 170. Eccentric wheel 170 is mounted off centerthrough the opening 172 through which the axle shaft 108 passes. Thus,as the axle shaft 108 rotates responsive to the driving of the gear 120off of the main shaft 76, eccentric wheel 170 will be driven through aneccentric path of travel, causing movement to and fro of the bar 84.

The upper end of bar 84 has a forked end 174 through which finger 176extends. Finger 176 is connected to enlarged lower end 178 of the rod40. Thus, as the bar 84 is moved to and fro, responsive to the eccentricaction from wheel 170, this will cause to and fro movement of the finger176 which will cause rotation of the rod 40. Through the arrangementpreviously described with respect to the pins 36-38 and 46-48, rotationof rod 40 will cause rotation of the arm rod 30 about a horizontal axisproducing swinging movement in the arms 16 and 18. Also, because thehead is directly secured to the rod 40, this will produce rotationalmovement of the head.

While the shaft 76 is rotating to produce musical sounds from themusical sound producing means, and also to rotate the wheels through theconnection of drive gear with pinion 118, the shaft 76 further causesrotation of the wiper cams 138 and 150. Preferably, these wiper cams areoffset approximately 180 to produce alternate motion in a verticaldirection in each of the lift members and 142. Thus, the doll will becaused to be lifted periodically by one lift member and then the other,while at the same time it is propelled forwardly by the driven wheels.This will cause the doll to pivot at the time that it is lifted by oneof the two lift members. As the lift members then are returned upwardly,the doll is driven forwardly by both wheels 110 until the other liftmember is then vertically displaced to engage the supporting surface andcause a pivot in the other direction. Following this, the forwardmovement of the doll will resume. This forward and pivot movementtranspires while the doll is also going through an arm swinging and headturning motion as previously described, and while the sound producingmeans produces musical sounds.

Thus, it can be seen that the doll of this invention is capable ofproducing much enjoyment and fascination through the combination ofwatching its unique movements and listening to the sound produced. Achild observing the doll will not only note the arm and head turning,but also the unique simulated pirouette and waltzing motions of thedoll.

The foreging detailed description has been given for clearness ofunderstanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understoodtherefrom, as some modifications may be obvious to those skilled in theart.

We claim:

1. A musical animated figure toy comprising:

means defining a supporting housing configurated to simulate a livefigure, including at least a portion movably mounted to the exterior ofthe housing with a support shaft movably mounted in the interior of thehousing and connected to said movable portion, and a frame in theinterior of the housing;

motor means mounted on said frame in the interior of the housing, saidmotor means having an output shaft, said output shaft beinginterconnected with said support shaft for to and fro driving of saidsupport shaft and said movable portion responsive to activation of saidmotor;

sound producing means in said housing connected to said motor means toactuate said sound producing means to produce sounds thereby;

means for moving said figure toy in a random path of travel, includingfirst drive means for advancing said figure including an axle in saidhousing extending through said frame, said axle supporting wheel meanshaving surface engaging portions thereon, a drive train interconnectingsaid output shaft with said axle for rotating said wheel meansresponsive to activation of said motor, and second drive means forintermittently pivoting said figure, said second drive means including alifting member having an outer end, said lifting member being movablymounted within said housing for movement be tween a retracted position,wherein said outer end is spaced above said surface engaging portion, toan extended position, wherein said outer end protrudes beyond saidsurface engaging portion, said lifting member being operably connectedto said output shaft for intermittent movement between said retractedand extended positions, whereby said figure produces sound and is drivenin an advancing and intermittently pivoting path of travel by means of asingle drive source; and

said means interconnecting said output shaft and said support shaftincludes an eccentric portion operatively associated with said axle anda movable link on said frame in position for engagement with saideccentric portion to drive said link thereby.

2. The animated figure toy of claim 1 wherein said I lifting member ismounted about said output shaft for reciprocal movement relative theretowith a cam being mounted on said shaft and a wiper surface provided onsaid lifting member for engagement by said cam to reciprocate saidlifting member as said shaft rotates.

3. The animated figure toy of claim 2 wherein a pair of said liftingmembers is providedv 4. The animated figure toy of claim 3 wherein saidmovable link is connected to said housing for to and fro movement abouta horizontal axis responsive to movement of said eccentric, and saidsupport shaft is mounted for rotation about a vertical axis with aradial arm member extending from said support shaft to said link forrotating said support shaft responsive to to and fro movement of saidlink.

5. A musical animated figure toy comprising: means defining a supportinghousing configurated to simulate a live figure, including at least aportion movably mounted to the exterior of the housing with a supportshaft movably mounted in the interior of the housing and connected tosaid movable portion, and a frame in the interior of the housing;

motor means mounted on said frame in the interior of the housing, saidmotor means having an output shaft, with said output shaft beinginterconnected with said support shaft for said movable portion for toand fro driving of said support shaft and said movable portionresponsive to activation of said motor;

sound producing means in said housing connected to said motor means toactuate said sound producing means to produce sounds thereby; and

means for moving said figure toy in a random path of travel, includingfirst drive means for advancing said figure including an axle in saidhousing extending through said frame, said axle supporting wheel meanshaving surface engaging portions thereon, a drive train interconnectingsaid output shaft with said axle for rotating said wheel meansresponsive to activation of said motor, and second drive means forintermittently pivoting said figure. said second drive means including alifting member having an outer end, said lifting member being movablymounted within said housing for movement between a retracted position,wherein said outer end is spaced above said surface engaging portion, toan extended position, wherein said outer end protrudes beyond saidsurface engaging portion, said lifting member being operably connectedto said output shaft for intermittent movement between said retractedand extended positions, whereby said figure produces sound and is drivenin an advancing and intermittently pivoting path of travel by means of asingle drive source.

6. The animated figure toy of claim 5 wherein said lifting member ismounted about said output shaft for reciprocal movement relative theretowith a cam being mounted on said shaft and a wiper surface provided onsaid lifting member for engagement by said cam to reciprocate saidlifting member as said shaft rotates.

7. The animated figure toy of claim 6 wherein a pair of said liftingmembers is provided.

8. A musical animated figure toy comprising:

means defining a supporting housing configured to simulate a livefigure;

motor means in said housing;

sound producing means in said housing connected to said drive means toactuate said sound producing means to produce sounds thereby; and

means for moving said figure toy in a random path of travel, includingfirst drive means for advancing said figure and second drive means forintermittently pivoting said figure, said second drive means including alifting member having an outer end, said lifting member being movablymounted within said housing for movement between a retracted position,wherein said outer end is spaced above said surface engaging portion, toan extended position, wherein said outer end protrudes beyond saidsurface engaging portion, said lifting member being mounted about saidoutput shaft for reciprocal movement relative thereto with a cam beingmounted on said shaft and a wiper surface provided on said liftingmember for engagement by said cam to reciprocate said lifting member assaid shaft rotates, whereby said figure produces sound and is driven inan advancing and intermittently pivoting path of travel by means of asingle drive, source.

9. The animated figure toy of claim 8 wherein a pair of said liftingmembers is provided.

. UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No 3, 78596 v Dated v January 22 1974 Inventofls) .J EY D. BRESLOW en 1 It iscertified that error appears in the above-identified patent and thatsaid Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 2, lines l7 and 18, change the two occurrences of "garmet" to1germent-. 7

Column 2, line 28 change "heed" to --rod--.

Column 2, lines 28 and 29, change "expands" to -spans-..

Column 3. line 5, change the numeral "102" to -99--.

si ned and sealed this 16th day of July 1971.

(SEAL Attest:

MCCOY- M. GIBSON, JR. Attesting Officer 0 MARSHALL DANN Qommissioner ofPatents USCOMM-DC 60376-P69 '2 us. GOVERNMENT palm-ma OFFICE lacso-ass-au F ORM F'O-105O (10-69)

1. A musical animated figure toy comprising: means defining a supportinghousing configurated to simulate a live figure, including at least aportion movably mounted to the exterior of the housing with a supportshaft movably mounted in the interior of the housing and connected tosaid movable portion, and a frame in the interior of the housing; motormeans mounted on said frame in the interior of the housing, said motormeans having an output shaft, said output shaft being interconnectedwith said support shaft for to and fro driving of said support shaft andsaid movable portion responsive to activation of said motor; soundproducing means in said housing connected to said motor means to actuatesaid sound producing means to produce sounds thereby; means for movingsaid figure toy in a random path of travel, including first drive meansfor advancing said figure including an axle in said housing extendingthrough said frame, said axle supporting wheel means having surfaceengaging portions thereon, a drive train interconnecting said outputshaft with said axle for rotating said wheel means responsive toactivation of said motor, and second drive means for intermittentlypivoting said figure, said second drive means including a lifting memberhaving an outer end, said lifting member being movably mounted withinsaid housing for movement between a retracted position, wherein saidouter end is spaced above said surface engaging portion, to an extendedposition, wherein said outer end protrudes beyond said surface engagingportion, said lifting member being operably connected to said outputshaft for intermittent movement between said retracted and extendedpositions, whereby said figure produces sound and is driven in anadvancing and intermittently pivoting path of travel by means of asingle drive source; and said means interconnecting said output shaftand said support shaft includes an eccentric portion operativelyassociated with said axle and a movable link on said frame in positionfor engagement with said eccentric portion to drive said link thereby.2. The animated figure toy of claim 1 wherein said lifting member ismounted about said output shaft for reciprocal movement relative theretowith a cam being mounted on said shaft and a wiper surface provided onsaid lifting member for engagement by said cam to reciprocate saidlifting member as said shaft rotates.
 3. The animated figure toy ofclaim 2 wherein a pair of said lifting members is provided.
 4. Theanimated figure toy of claim 3 wherein said movable link is connected tosaid housing for to and fro movement about a horizontal axis responsiveto movement of said eccentric, and said support shaft is mounted forrotation about a vertical axis with a radial arm member extending fromsaid support shaft to said link for rotating said support shaftresponsive to to and fro movement of said link.
 5. A musical animatedfigure toy comprising: means defining a supporting housing configuratedto simulate a live figure, including at least a portion movably mountedto the exterior of the housing with a support shaft movably mounted inthe interior of the housing and connected to said movable portion, and aframe in the interior of the housing; motor means mounted on said framein the interior of the housing, said motor means having an output shaft,with said output shaft being interconnected with said support shaft forsaid movable portion for to and fro driving of said support shaft andsaid movable portion responsive to activation of said motor; soundproducing means in said housing connected to said motor means to actuatesaid sound producing means to produce sounds thereby; and means formoving said figure toy in a random path of travel, including first drivemeans for advancing said figure including an axle in said housingextending through said frame, said axle supporting wheel means havingsurface engaging portions thereon, a drive train interconnecting saidoutput shaft with said axle for rotating said wheel means responsive toactivation of said motor, and second drive means for intermittentlypivoting said figure, said second drive means including a lifting memberhaving an outer end, said lifting member being movably mounted withinsaid housing for movement between a retracted position, wherein saidouter end is spaced above said surface engaging portion, to an extendedposition, wherein said outer end protrudes beyond said surface engagingportion, said lifting member being operably connected to said outputshaft for intermittent movement between said retracted and extendedpositions, whereby said figure produces sound and is driven in anadvancing and intermittently pivoting path of travel by means of asingle drive source.
 6. The animated figure toy of claim 5 wherein saidlifting member is mounted about said output shaft for reciprocalmovement relative thereto with a cam being mounted on said shaft and awiper surface provided on said lifting member for engagement by said camto reciprocate said lifting member as said shaft rotates.
 7. Theanimated figure toy of claim 6 wherein a pair of said lifting members isprovided.
 8. A musical animated figure toy comprising: means defining asupporting housing configured to simulate a live figure; motor means insaid housing; sound producing means in said housing connected to saiddrive means to actuate said sound producing means to produce soundsthereby; and means for moving said figure toy in a random path oftravel, including first drive means for advancing said figure and seconddrive means for intermittently pivoting said figure, said second drivemeans including a lifting member having an outer end, said liftingmember being movably mounted within said housing for movement between aretracted position, wherein said outer end is spaced above said surfaceengaging portion, to an extended position, wherein said outer endprotrudes beyond said surface engaging portion, said lifting memberbeing mounted about said output shaft for reciprocal movement relativethereto with a cam being mounted on said shaft and a wiper surfaceprovided on said lifting member for engagement by said cam toreciprocate said lifting member as said shaft rotates, whereby saidfigure produces sound and is driven in an advancing and intermittentlypivoting path of travel by means of a single drive source.
 9. Theanimated figure toy of claim 8 wherein a pair of said lifting members isprovided.